The power of running on people’s mental and physical health is well known. So just imagine what magic it could weave in the hands of people really in need of connection and a sense of belonging
Words: Rachel Ifans
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hen Pete Cooper and Dan Strang created Coopah, they didn’t want it to just be another running app, they wanted to set up something that could help a wider audience. Knowing that refugees are one of the most underprivileged groups in the UK, the two men set up Refugee Run Club in 2022.
When they come to this country, refugees are put into hotels and given as little as £8 a week to live on. As a result, many of them stay in their hotel rooms, feeling isolated, lonely and scared, and in many cases, their mental health takes a hit too. “Many people say running is a free sport, but that couldn’t be further from the truth,” says Pete. “To run without getting injured, runners need good trainers and high performance kit. The barriers for women can go even further, from needing a sports bra or a hijab to worrying about how safe it is to run. By inviting these female refugees to run as a team, it means they can run together and feel safe.”
Pete and Dan wanted to help refugees integrate into society, as well as giving them a way to meet friends and a motivation in life. So far, RRC has helped more than 50 refugees to run, with 20 of them taking part in mass, chip-timed events and more than a few showing a natural talent for running.
One of the success stories is a refugee called Hamzah. He was one of the first people to join Refugee Run Club and he took part in the Oxford half marathon, coming away with a chip time of 1:18 and finishing in the top 20! He’s a talented runner but he wouldn’t have had that opportunity without the Refugee Run Club.
It’s not all about chip times, of course. As we know, the power of running extends beyond fitness to community, friendship, connection and far more. “The Refugee Run Club is all about bringing together amazing humans, creating friendships and integrating them into their local society through the power of running,” says Pete.
Our four Warriors this issue are Atefah, Yeganeh, Maryam and Sara, all of whom are refugees and members of the Refugee Run Club, who Pete and the team are training to complete the London Vitality 10,000 in September. “We have seen these women go from being shy and nervous to becoming confident in not only themselves but also their running,” he concludes. Running has been transformative for all these women, as you can see on these pages and they’re keen to spread the message to more w
